I'm In a spot and appreciate any help you all can share.

I have a 2004 Fountain 38 lightening with twin staggered 525's. This could be a long story however I'll keep it short. My String for details on the rebuild is in the Fountain section under "Rebuild time for 525's.

So I have a shop in Quebec, apparently the only certified Merc racing shop in Quebec. My motors have 400 hours on them and the top ends was never done. I was told by the famous Ron Potter from Potter performance that I shouldn't waste my time or money doing the top ends with rebuilds just a few months away.

However he did highly recommended that I change the rockers at the very least since they have a 100% failure rate between 400 and 500 hours. Additionally, these rockers will serve their purpose in the fall when I have him rebuild my motors in Sarasota Florida....yup going to pull it there because he is the best I'm told and his prices are much more reasonable than what my mechanic here wants. Plus he wants to just sell me refurbished long blocks for $14000 each however offered me $2500 for each of my old ones however I don't stalk refurb's and my DDT report clearly shows that my motors were babied

So the problem I have now is Potter Performance can sell me super high end rockers for $650 a set so $1300 for both motors.

My guy wants $3400 for Merc rockers. I explained to him that I don't want Merc and have already come across a great deal on high end rockers, and just want him to install them......he refuses to install anything not purchased through him.......shocking at the difference in price but I get it. I on the other hand refuse to pay $3400 plus a minimum of $600 which I know will turn into a $1000 with the blink of an eye to have them installed when my motors need to be overhauled at the end of this season......trying to keep expenses at a minimum so yes, $1900 vs $4,000 plus.......That's a lot of cash for maybe 10 or 15 outings.

NOW FOR MY QUESTION: Can anybody recommend a super Merc racing certified shop close to montreal? I don't care if it's right across the US border or if I have to haul it to Ontario........I just need to find a certified and reputable shop to change these puppies so I don't have to worry for this summer.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!
Barry

call Jeff at Birch Point Marina 1 705 738 2473 he is awesome

A few hours south-Performance Marine at Lake George.

i believe 525 rockers are crane cam rockers. anyway. i know the 500 hp used crane cam rockers.

Thanks guys! It's nice to have options! I'll reach out to them Monday to see if they can helpe out!

Cheers
Barry

Who is this " shop " who so eagerly wanted to bend you over for such a not so special part,?

Hey BWD, I'd love to say who but this is a small place and if their name spreads, I still have to have my boat serviced there so I'd prefer to keep it at "the only certified Merc race shop in Quebec" lol

Here's an extract from the long winded correspondence. They have refused to install my rockers and have made it clear that they install only parts purchased through them. I get it IF there was a warranty however there is not so apparently their not happy with just revenue generated from their bay time.......

This is their quote and this knowing that my engines require a complete overhaul or if they have it their way replaced in just a few short months.....ya think they's give me a break knowing this but apparently not hence Potter performance will get the job.

To replace Rockers:
Cost each rocker $106.12 you need 32 = $3395.84
-Undo valve covers
-undo prestone tank
-take off old rockers
-adjust valves
Approx. labour minimum 3 hours for each engine $600.00
_______________________________________________

Other option:
Replace Lifters and Rockers:
32 lifters $135.51 each lifter = $4336.32
32 rocker arm assy $106.12 each rocker = $3395.84
2 gasket $88.18 each gasket = $176.36
Approx. labour minimum 5 hours for each engine = $1000.00

_______________________________________________

Other option:
New long block $14,000 each:
Value of your old long block $4,000. each (if they are in good condition)
Approx. labour minimum $2,000. each engine = $4,000.00
Warranty from Mercury 1 year

I don't understand why you are putting new long blocks in? Are you boating on a lake or saltwater? For $14000 a motor plus $4000 in labor you could have a pair of very nice 600 hp engines built with jesel valvetrain. Which is the top of the line valvetrain components and probably even turned into 540 cubic inch engines. If you are boating in saltwater maybe swapping out is a good option but even then i don't think you need to.

Few shops want to install parts purchased elsewhere, for two reasons. 1. Their price quoted includes the profit made from the parts mark up. 2. Part failure from something they are not familiar with can make the shop look bad, they stick to what they know.


Why do we keep ignoring the valve springs we keep telling you to change? Honestly that and header test would be my main worries right now. Lifter or rocker failure will not ruin your engine, the springs and headers will! And the springs and headers are KNOWN issues with those engines. I have changed rockers in the water, not the end of the world.

For his labor and parts prices it seems he just wants to sell new long blocks. I say just run the thing till one blows then order a new long block You want a merc racing certified shop.....you are going to pay for it. But lets face it, these are not 1075scis. Those engines are pretty basic to a competent engine builder, nothing real special. These prices quoted make me puke in my mouth a little.

I agree 100% !!! 4bus is correct it is the valve springs that fails not the rocker arms at or around 400 hrs.
Like i had mentioned before the old hp 500 rockers were crane gold rockers.
You can buy these from summit racing.com for $28 each or the set for $400 range.
I would put money on it that he will buy them directly from summit.
I can understand him wanting to make money off the parts however marking up 100% is one thing but to mark up 400% is just plain ripping you off!!!